Apache

APA Corp is assigned a 3-star quantitative star rating, illustrating our stance that this share class is a balanced choice, but prudent investors should consider looking elsewhere. The stock currently trades at a 5% discount to our quantitative fair value estimate of $43.80 per share; however, caution is warranted due to this estimate's high uncertainty rating.

The firm's profitability increases our fair value estimate. Highly profitable companies are often more resilient in recessions and are likely to generate stronger future cash flows for shareholders. Reflecting the firm's profitability is its earnings yield of 12.0%, which ranks in the top 20% compared with global peers. This suggests that it is generating substantial earnings relative to its share price, which contributes to our view that shares are undervalued.

The company's valuation metrics are an additional encouraging factor. A company's valuation metrics provide insights into the market's expectations for its future growth and profitability. The firm's enterprise value to EBITDA ratio of 3.2, for example, ranks in the bottom 10% compared with global peers. Relative to the company's EBITDA, the enterprise value of the business is low, which further promotes our favorable price/fair value ratio.

In addition to the aforementioned drivers, our model considers momentum as part of its comprehensive analysis. This share class has outperformed the broader universe over the past year. While we believe the stock is undervalued, this outperformance had a negative impact on our valuation estimate.

With its quantitative economic moat rating of none, this business is unlikely to consistently outearn its cost of capital without structural protection from competition. Additionally, the firm's moderate financial health score suggests it is acceptably positioned against adverse economic circumstances.